A kick in the pants.....

[gimmethesimplelife]

Just an update about what is going on with me for those who know me from my posts here. Well, it looks like I may be leaving food and beverage, and if not, making it only an income stream among others. My mom has recently had neck surgery and her recovery is moving very slowly, and I want to be around to minimize the risk of her falling, so it looks very much like I will be spending my summer in Phoenix and not hitting the seasonal trail this year. Even if I wanted to work serving F/T (which I don't) it would be very hard to find a F/T serving job here in Phoenix as people still are just not eating out like they used to. P/T I probably could find, and then have other streams of income on the side.....So it looks like some changes are coming to my life and I am very much in the mood to go with it and see where they lead me.....Will post more here as things change. Rob

[redfox]

Rob, good luck. Some states pay family caregivers a modest stipend for their work assisting family members in need of medical help. You might consider calling the state social welfare department to see what it takes to qualify.

[gimmethesimplelife]

Rob, good luck. Some states pay family caregivers a modest stipend for their work assisting family members in. Need os medical help. You might consider calling the state social welfare department to see what it takes to qualify.Will look into, good idea! Thanks! Rob

[RosieTR]

Good luck Rob! You sure you don't want to start a little crepe stand at the Sat farmer's market? I always thought it needed that. Or an ice cream stand in Heritage Park by the Pizzeria Bianco. The pizzeria doesn't serve dessert and what you really need after pizza is a scoop of great gelato. But that's more food service :-( so you might want to look elsewhere. Summer property management for snowbirds?

[Selah]

Good luck, Rob! That's very good of you to be looking after the welfare of your mother.

[gimmethesimplelife]

I really am committed to this and the way I can tell is that I know people on my facebook account from the seasonal world and they are starting to get job offers for the summer and I am not contacting them to mention my name or find out any info - for better or worse, here I am parked until further notice. Very radical fo me.....Rob BTW - thanks for your responses.....

[loosechickens]

Rob, the daughter of a friend in the Phoenix area has a business, (which started as a dog sitting service, where she would go and take the dog out for walks, etc.), and has now morphed into something of a "personal assistant" business, where she has developed a stable of clients, and does everything from pet care, to going to the home and waiting for a repairman, picking up laundry, taking a child to summer camp, running errands, etc. She often housesits as well, taking care of pets and plants while her clients go on vacation.

She started with just a few people (maybe you could get a few starting clients among the more affluent people you might know from other areas), and has built her little business (mostly through word of mouth) up until she nets about $30,000 a year after expenses, mileage, etc. And she's her own boss, makes her own schedule, takes on only the level of work she is comfortable doing, etc. If it's a service she really doesn't want to do, she quotes a high price for it, and is often surprised that they accept.

She often assists in cleaning out closets and helping clients organize, and usually ends up being given masses of stuff to take home, which she sells on eBay and has periodic yard sales. Since her clients are pretty affluent, you couldn't BELIEVE the stuff they get rid of, since their wardrobes and household decoration frequently change.

That might be something to consider, at least as a way to make some extra money, perhaps advertise on Craigslist your availability and some services you might offer, making up some flyers or business cards, etc. And if you could get a toe in the door of that kind of business, might be able to grow it into a significant income.

[earthshepherd]

Good for you, Rob. I cared for my mom when she was sick with cancer, went down to half time work to be available for my dad after my mom died, and I certainly don't regret it. I am sure you can innovate some money-making endeavor. You seem quite adventurous and creative!

[Mrs-M]

Wishing you all the best, GTSL. What a loving and caring son you are.